Overseas Operations

Who would have thought that you could fly to Brazil for liposuction or have a hip replaced in India? While these common procedures have always been available outside of North America at a fraction of the cost, medical tourism is starting to come of age.

Those most likely to travel for their medical care include the uninsured, under-insured, and those wanting procedural options not provided by their insurance company.

Companies that specialize in medical tourism are on the rise and they oversee all aspects of your journey and procedure(s).

Considered to be the first American-based company to provide door to door overseas medical service, MedRetreat sent its first patient abroad in 2004. They provide a wide range of procedures in Argentina, Brazil, India, Maylaysia, South Africa, Thailand, and Turkey. Next year, they will begin providing corporations with customized programs for employees which will help reduce a company’s overall healthcare costs.

GlobalChoice Healthcare is another company. With an office in Seattle (as well as Albuquerque, NM; Edison, NJ; Singapore; and Delhi), they work with physicians trained in the U.S., U.K., and Europe all of them accredited by the World Health Organization. Procedures include angioplasty, tummy tucks, dental implants, and knee replacements.

As the world continues to shrink, there will be a proliferation of such companies. If you’re considering going overseas with a medical tourism company, thoroughly check out their reputations and ask for lots of references from former patients.